James W. "Jimmy" Friend

James W. Friend         “beloved husband, loved father, awesome grandfather”

COUDERSPORT, Pa.---James W. “Jimmy” Friend, 47, of Coudersport, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a long illness.

Born on January 30, 1972 in Claxton, Georgia, he was a son of Henry P. and Jacqueline “Jackie” Martin Friend.  On June 6, 2013 in Coudersport, he married Tamela V. “Tammy” Hults, who survives.

He attended Reidsville High School in Reidsville, Georgia.

Jimmy was employed as a chef.  He enjoyed fishing.  He was a practical joker and loved to make everyone laugh.  Jimmy, along with his mother-in-law, "MeMe",  loved their country music jam sessions. His greatest love was his family, especially his grandchildren.

Surviving besides his wife are eleven children, Phillip M. Friend of Roulette, Alexandria E. Earle, James W. Friend, Jr., Thomas M. Friend, all of Coudersport, Jonathan A. Friend, serving with the U.S. Marines in South Carolina, Allen C. Friend of Kerrville, Texas, Sara Adams of Illinois, Katie Lowe of Springfield, Ohio, and Mickey J. Hults-Lowe, Jasmine L. Lowe, and Chandler S. Hults-Lowe, all of Coudersport; eleven grandchildren; a brother, Paul (Joan) Friend of Salem, Indiana; four sisters, Lynette (Jerry) Turner of Brunswick, Georgia, Susie (Larry) Webb of Vidalia, Georgia, Penny (Joe) Stewart of Salem, Indiana, and Emily (Ceasar) Hernandez of Reidsville, Georgia; many nieces and nephews; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Eunice Dudley Hults.

In addition to his parents, Jimmy was predeceased by a brother, Dwayne Friend; and a nephew, Larry Webb, Jr.

Family and friends are invited to call from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at Christ Episcopal Church, Coudersport, where a celebration of Jimmy’s life will follow at 3 p.m., with Mother Janis Yskamp, rector, and Pastor Pete Tremblay of the God’s Country Ministries, Coudersport, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please visit Tammy’s Friends Facebook page for the link to the Go Fund Me page to assist with expenses.

Jimmy’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences or share a fond memory of Jimmy, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com